How Co-workers Can Help

Be alert to possible signs of domestic abuse: changes in behavior and work performance, lack of concentration, increased or unexplained absences, placing or receiving harassing phone calls, unexplained bruises or injuries or explanations of injuries that just don’t add up.

Believe the survivor if she or he discloses the abuse.

Listen without judging. Survivors believe her or his abuser’s negative messages and feel responsible, ashamed, and afraid they he or she will be judged.

Tell the survivor that she or he does not deserve to be abused and that help is available. Give the survivor Serene Harbor’s 24-hour HELPLINE, 321-726-8282

Call someone from your Employee Assistance Program for confidential advice and resources.

How Medical Professionals Can Help

When screening patients for domestic violence, the goal is to validate and empower the survivor while attending to the immediate health concerns. It is vital that the medical professional create an atmosphere sensitive to a survivor’s need to be respected and taken seriously.

Screen patients in a confidential setting, separate from the abuser

Phrase questions in a non-judgmental way.

Tell survivors they do not deserve to be abused. Offer support and safety. Encourage survivors to make their own choices and decisions.

Medical personnel should assess their own attitudes and perceptions regarding domestic violence to ensure objectivity.

During medical screening of all patients, medical personnel should look for the following warning signs of domestic abuse:

Fearful, ashamed, evasive or embarrassed behaviors

Low self-esteem

Reluctant to speak or disagree in front of the abuser

Fails to make direct eye contact

Patient or abuser minimizes extent of injuries

Abuser insists on accompanying patient, answers all questions, and refuses to leave the treatment area

Abuser displays jealousy, obsession, or possessiveness

Injuries:

Contusions, abrasions, lacerations, fractures and sprains

Injuries to the head, neck, chest, breasts, and abdomen

Injuries during pregnancy

Multiple site injuries

Repeated or chronic injuries

Injuries inconsistent with explanation of cause

Other medical findings may present themselves:

Chronic pain, psychogenic pains, or pain due to diffused trauma without visible evidence

Because your abuser may monitor your Internet use and may be able to view your computer activity we can not provide services to you over the internet. Please call our Hotline staff at (321) 726-8282 for assistance.

If you have reason to believe that your computer is not secure, you may wish to use a computer in another location that your abuser does not have access to.

For Hotline

TDD Access Call

321-726-8282

No person shall on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, age or disability be excluded from participation in, be denied benefit of, or be subject to unlawful discrimination under any program or activity receiving or benefiting from federal financial assistance and administered by Serene Harbor, Inc. Foreign language and certified sign language interpreters or alternative auxiliary aids will be made available at no charge to the client.

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A copy of the official registration and financial information for Serene Harbor Inc, a Florida-based nonprofit corporation (registration no. CH3352), may be obtained from the Division of Consumer Services by calling toll-free 1-800-Help-Fla (435-7352) within the state or visiting their website Here. Registration does not imply endorsement, approval, or recommendation by the state.